NYC BigApps 3.0, the third annual BigApps competition from New York City, challenges software developers to help improve the City with creative new apps that use city data. NYC BigApps is an ongoing series of challenges to engage developers and the public, furthering the City’s goal of becoming a leading innovator and early adopter of new technology. BigApps highlights the City’s open data initiative, increasing accessibility and transparency by incentivizing individuals, teams, and organizations to create new tools for mashing up, disseminating, organizing, and visualizing city data. BigApps supports NYC’s technology community by celebrating and fostering new ideas and apps. Past winners have received extensive exposure for their work, leading to new investment and business opportunities.

This year’s competition will include new data, prizes, and resources. New York City is providing nearly 750 data sets for use in the competition. Winners will receive $50,000 in cash prizes, as well as a wealth of opportunities to network with and receive support from leading investors and tech entrepreneurs. New prize tracks have been added to award the best category apps in green, health, education, and mobility; and the best mashup app utilizing an API from a participating NYC startup. Prizes will be awarded based on the quality of the idea, implementation of the idea, and potential impact (see the Official Rules for details).

NYC BigApps is open to U.S. residents ages 16 and over, as well as legally registered organizations (with fewer than 50 employees) domiciled in the U.S. Employees of the City of New York and NYCEDC (and their immediate families) can compete for a separate City Talent Award. Submissions can be any kind of software application — for the web, a personal computer, a mobile device, SMS, or any software platform broadly available to the public. Submissions must (1) be original software applications solely owned by the entrant(s); (2) use at least one of the data sets found on NYC Open Data; and (3) be free to the public throughout the competition and for at least one year afterward (see the Official Rules for complete submission requirements).

$50,000 in prizes

1. Create an account on 2011.nycbigapps.com or log in with an existing ChallengePost account.
2. On 2011.nycbigapps.com, click "Follow" to register your interest in participating. This step ensures that you will receive important challenge updates.
3. Explore the available data sets on NYC Open Data, and also check out the Developer Resources. Create a working software application that uses at least one New York City data set from NYC Open Data.
4. Between Oct. 11, 2011 at 7 p.m. EST and Jan. 25, 2012 at 5 p.m. EST, submit your application: (a) Confirm that you have read and agree to the Official Rules, and (b) Submit your application by including a link, video, text description, and image of your working application.

Note: It's important to include a video of your app. Some people may not have access to your app platform and will rely on the video. Be sure to create a video that clearly and concisely shows the functionality and purpose of your app, as well as the data used.

• Quality of the Idea
  Including creativity and originality
• Implementation of the Idea
  Including user experience and design
• Potential Impact
  On New York City residents and visitors
• Potential for Commercialization
  This is only for the Investor's Choice Award